You are correct. It is an Ilyushin IL-62M. The model number is on the engine nacelle and here it is landing in China in 2008. Note the thrust reversers are applied even though they have not yet landed. Not good.

You are correct. It is an Ilyushin IL-62M. The model number is on the engine nacelle and here it is landing in China in 2008. Note the thrust reversers are applied even though the have not yet landed. Not good.

Maybe the segmented window is for the pilots to have additional lighting on daytime flight?

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Eyebrow windows are a design feature that has fallen out of favor. Better visibility at lower altitudes while banking was the idea, but with modern avionics like TCAS, they aren't needed. They're also an annoyance to the pilots. A lot of times guys would shove a pillow or something else up there to keep from baking in the sun. Not having them saves on weight and maintenance as well.

Eyebrow windows are a design feature that has fallen out of favor. Better visibility at lower altitudes while banking was the idea, but with modern avionics like TCAS, they aren't needed. They're also an annoyance to the pilots. A lot of times guys would shove a pillow or something else up there to keep from baking in the sun. Not having them saves on weight and maintenance as well.

Eyebrow windows are a design feature that has fallen out of favor. Better visibility at lower altitudes while banking was the idea, but with modern avionics like TCAS, they aren't needed. They're also an annoyance to the pilots. A lot of times guys would shove a pillow or something else up there to keep from baking in the sun. Not having them saves on weight and maintenance as well.

On a couple of IL-62 segments I flew, most memorably TAS-SVO one day, I'm sure they used the eyebrow windows so that the drivers could look directly at God while praying the d@mn thing would get off the ground. Seriously underpowered craft, made worse on days when eggs were frying on the tarmac.

I'm sure they used the eyebrow windows so that the drivers could look directly at God while praying the d@mn thing would get off the ground. Seriously underpowered craft, made worse on days when eggs were frying on the tarmac.

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Many moons ago I used to fly SAH-DME in a IL-62M. The altitude is 7216 feet and the temperatures in the summer can get pretty hot too. That airplane would roll a long way before struggling to the air. At the time the fastest and easiest way to get to Europe was to fly to Moscow and connect. It was cheaper too, and should have been. That was in 1978-1979 when Aeroflot was not the shiny new nice airline it is now.

Pardon my ignorance but that seems like a really bad idea.. is that possibly for a really short runway?

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It is a bad idea. Short runway or not, unless the IL-62M is unique in more ways than we already know. Nearly all thrust reversers cannot be deployed without the wheels on the ground (squat switch). I suppose that aircraft does not have that protective mechanism.

It is a bad idea. Short runway or not, unless the IL-62M is unique in more ways than we already know. Nearly all thrust reversers cannot be deployed without the wheels on the ground (squat switch). I suppose that aircraft does not have that protective mechanism.

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From Wikipedia:
"The Il-62M variant (first flight in 1971, introduced in 1973) has more powerful and quieter Soloviev D-30KU engines and a fin fuel tank. Beneath the skin, the Il-62M has simpler and lighter single-slotted flaps and incremental aerodynamic improvements. Most important of these was the addition of spoilerons (spoilers or wing-mounted air brakes which act as ailerons by differential deployment in cruising flight) and the ability to use idle reverse thrust in flight during the final approach so as to shorten the landing run."

FWIW, I noticed that the thrust reversers are only on the outside engines. I agree that it seems like a bad idea, but a worse idea would be to run off the end of the runway.

My dad did! As a flight engineer!
And I am pretty sure I've been through the LZ fleet in its prime! AN4, TU3, TU5, IL8... Too bad i don't remember squat...
though already explained, i can get first-hand experience courtesy of padre if y'all are interested

I used to fly on CSA (czech airlines) when the IL-62m was at its glory. Always loved the fact that it needed training wheels in the tail section to support the 4 engines in the back, and keep the craft from pulling a "wheelie" to the gate.

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